Am relatively new here, so apologies if this has been done before. Maybe it has, but I am curious as to your opinions.
What do you think about closing the network for all of December 25 and in most parts for December 26?
When I mention this to people in northern Europe, where I have lived and trains run right through Christmas, people are astounded. Their usual response being: "How does anyone get anywhere?"
My take on it is:
December 25: can understand this one, seeing as the whole country more or less closes down.
December 26: cannot understand this one, as there is a massive programme of sport: football, rugby, horseracing etc, that must involve the movement of over 500,000 people, some over long distances, not to mention people who work in these areas. In addition, airports are open with traffic in and out. I know that unaware travellers flying in have been stranded at airports/short of their final destination in the past.
Secondly, it means for so many people who rely on public transport, if they wish to travel to see anyone over Christmas, they would either have to stay with them for 3 nights (24, 25, 26) or simply not do it, which is not great. When I used to work on Decmber 25-26, which I did for several years, a friend used to kindly drive the 130 miles round trip to bring me home so I didn't have to wait another 16 hours on my own waiting for the next (first train out December 27) train home.
What do you think?
What do you think about closing the network for all of December 25 and in most parts for December 26?
When I mention this to people in northern Europe, where I have lived and trains run right through Christmas, people are astounded. Their usual response being: "How does anyone get anywhere?"
My take on it is:
December 25: can understand this one, seeing as the whole country more or less closes down.
December 26: cannot understand this one, as there is a massive programme of sport: football, rugby, horseracing etc, that must involve the movement of over 500,000 people, some over long distances, not to mention people who work in these areas. In addition, airports are open with traffic in and out. I know that unaware travellers flying in have been stranded at airports/short of their final destination in the past.
Secondly, it means for so many people who rely on public transport, if they wish to travel to see anyone over Christmas, they would either have to stay with them for 3 nights (24, 25, 26) or simply not do it, which is not great. When I used to work on Decmber 25-26, which I did for several years, a friend used to kindly drive the 130 miles round trip to bring me home so I didn't have to wait another 16 hours on my own waiting for the next (first train out December 27) train home.
What do you think?